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he knowes pokemon more than i know _Chapter_094_en
Chapter 94
Chapter 94: My Name is Da Che, and My Cousin is Steven Stone
Ash: "?"
But since the other party had spoken, he subconsciously made Pikachu stop its Thunderbolt, yet it still maintained the fully charged electrical charge in its cheeks. He warily watched the two of them, ready to attack again at the slightest provocation.
Seeing this, the tall man also waved for the blue Pokémon in front of him to cease its actions. The latter floated silently in the air beside him, its single eye curiously observing Pikachu.
The man took off his Rainbow Group hat, revealing his full face.
He had short silver hair and handsome facial features. He appeared to be in his twenties, with a tall, well-proportioned figure, and his demeanor exuded a noble elegance.
He greeted Ash with a friendly smile.
Ash: "?"
Who was this? He didn't recognize him.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Da Che, and I'm the head of Devon Corporation's operations in the Kanto Region."
He introduced himself gracefully:
"You may not have heard my name, but you've surely heard of my cousin's. He's the Champion of the Hoenn Region, Steven Stone."
Unlike his cousin Steven Stone, Da Che wasn't a battle expert. Instead, he focused more of his energy on corporate operations and management, so his name wasn't particularly prominent among trainers.
He might have had some fame in the Hoenn Region, but in the Kanto Region, he was a nobody.
This time, he had come to Saffron City to expand Devon Corporation's market in other regions and establish a firm foothold. He had also heard that the former Silph Co. was now occupied by a supposedly benevolent and ethical enterprise, the Rainbow Group, so he had infiltrated the building to investigate.
As it turned out, an undercover agent seemed to have run into another.
They say that in any Evil Organization, besides a couple of truly capable individuals and a few slackers just looking for a free meal, everyone else is an undercover agent. It seems that saying isn't just a joke.
You could probably throw a rock into an Evil Organization and hit an undercover agent.
Ash's brow furrowed. He had never heard of either Da Che or Steven Stone.
However, he was quite familiar with this Hoenn Region. It was that bizarre place all over again.
But since the man had revealed his identity, and this Steven Stone character he mentioned sounded like someone truly formidable, Ash didn't dare to be dismissive. He took a deep breath, nodded, and pretended that he had indeed heard of Steven Stone, to indirectly prove he wasn't some country bumpkin.
Then, the two of them turned their gazes in unison toward the other grunt holding a wooden sword.
Ash's curiosity was instantly piqued. He never thought that outside of Pallet Town, there could be another superhuman who could withstand a Thunderbolt with their bare body, without a Pokémon.
It was just that the way this person wielded the wooden sword, along with the astonishing sword aura faintly emanating from them, felt strangely familiar.
Seeing their gazes, this person copied the first man and removed their hat, revealing the completely drained face of a corporate drone.
Ash: "?"
He still didn't recognize this one either.
The person with the ordinary corporate drone face didn't speak. They glanced at Da Che beside them, then suddenly concentrated their energy. They raised the wooden sword horizontally, then struck like lightning. The sword aura instantly surged to its peak, and the sharp sword intent felt like it could sever anything!
Iaijutsu: Tree-Cutting Slash!
*Swish!*
The wooden sword actually let out the chilling sound of a metal tachi slicing through the air. An endless, sharp, cold light flared, rushing toward Ash.
*Whoosh!*
The next moment, the wooden sword was sheathed.
The corporate drone man dissipated his astonishing sword aura, becoming unremarkable once more, leaving a dumbfounded Ash and Da Che in his wake.
*Crack.*
After a moment, the rainbow letter 'R' on Ash's chest split in two and fell away, yet the clothes underneath were completely unscathed.
Then, the corporate drone man suddenly gave Ash a playful wink.
The gesture was cute.
But the face was horrific to look at.
If not for his caution toward the wooden sword in the man's hand, Ash would have already smashed his fist into that winking face.
However, this hint allowed Ash to guess the corporate drone man's identity, and a surge of emotion welled up inside him.
The old saying goes: "When compatriots meet compatriots, they shoot each other in the back." But for this encounter, it was more like the other version: "When compatriots meet compatriots, their eyes well up with tears."
Just when did this girl learn the art of disguise? It was simply masterful. She had perfectly portrayed the increasingly dull and weary face of a corporate drone—any more would have been overacting, any less would have been unconvincing.
It was truly astonishing.
Da Che, on the other hand, was deeply impressed, though he didn't grasp the silent communication between compatriots. He simply applauded the swordsmanship.
"Wow, what powerful Sword Intent! Goodness, that must have reached the level of a Heavenly Sword, right?"
Seeing this, Ash also nodded. He was just about to introduce himself to Da Che when the man cut him off.
Da Che made a silencing gesture, then signaled his Pokémon to act.
*Ting.*
The Telekinesis around Beldum spread out, quickly locking onto its targets.
Then, an invisible ripple burst from behind its body, shooting out like a cannonball, ricocheting several times to strike the room's four corners.
Instantly, four micro-cameras exploded.
"Good job, Beldum." Da Che rubbed the head of the Pokémon as it levitated back to him.
"This building is filled with cameras. Since our identities are exposed, we have to destroy these annoying eyes first."
"Beldum?"
Ash looked curiously at this strange Pokémon. It looked as if someone had taken Teacher Brock's Geodude, dyed it a different color, stretched it into a rectangular block, and then separated its head from its body with a single cut.
"Pokedex Beep. Beldum, the Iron Ball Pokémon. It only knows the move Takedown. It is extremely rare and considered a high-class Pokémon that only the wealthy are qualified to catch."
The Pokedex reported automatically.
Hearing this, Ash nodded. Since it was a Pokémon that only the wealthy were qualified to catch, what Da Che said was likely true. He then began to introduce himself:
"My name is Ash, and this is my partner, Pikachu. We're planning to drive the Rainbow Group out of Saffron City."
Da Che was startled, thinking to himself that this youth had such wild ambition.
Coincidentally, his Devon Corporation had been suppressed by the Rainbow Group for a long time. If they could really drive the Rainbow Group out, it would be an absolutely wonderful thing for them.
And judging by that Electric Mouse Pokémon's strength just now, it didn't seem half bad, did it?
Having just arrived in Saffron City, Da Che didn't know the true power of the local evil force. He assumed that these grunts were the mainstays of the Rainbow Group, which was why he had some confidence in Ash.
If he knew there were several enemies at the Half-step Elite Four level in this building, he probably would have already dragged Ash away...
With the cameras gone, Ash looked curiously at the corporate drone man.
"By the way, Blue... little boy, what are you doing here?"
Seeing her hand about to draw the wooden sword, Ash quickly corrected himself so as not to expose her real name.
"Oh, I heard from Big Sis Blue that there was a dungeon here and she told me to come clear it, so I came in."
As for Blue (manga character), she wasn't from this world anyway, so it didn't matter if her name was mentioned.
Just then, Blue suddenly leaned in, her eyes filled with a mixture of terror and reverence.
"Say, do you think this building is some kind of Haunted House?"
Ash: "?"
"I think I just saw... Little Flea? Do you think he couldn't rest in peace and his lingering spirit is haunting us?"
Blue asked, trembling.
Ash: "..."
(end of chapter)
Ash: "?"
But since the other party had spoken, he subconsciously made Pikachu stop its Thunderbolt, yet it still maintained the fully charged electrical charge in its cheeks. He warily watched the two of them, ready to attack again at the slightest provocation.
Seeing this, the tall man also waved for the blue Pokémon in front of him to cease its actions. The latter floated silently in the air beside him, its single eye curiously observing Pikachu.
The man took off his Rainbow Group hat, revealing his full face.
He had short silver hair and handsome facial features. He appeared to be in his twenties, with a tall, well-proportioned figure, and his demeanor exuded a noble elegance.
He greeted Ash with a friendly smile.
Ash: "?"
Who was this? He didn't recognize him.
"Let me introduce myself. My name is Da Che, and I'm the head of Devon Corporation's operations in the Kanto Region."
He introduced himself gracefully:
"You may not have heard my name, but you've surely heard of my cousin's. He's the Champion of the Hoenn Region, Steven Stone."
Unlike his cousin Steven Stone, Da Che wasn't a battle expert. Instead, he focused more of his energy on corporate operations and management, so his name wasn't particularly prominent among trainers.
He might have had some fame in the Hoenn Region, but in the Kanto Region, he was a nobody.
This time, he had come to Saffron City to expand Devon Corporation's market in other regions and establish a firm foothold. He had also heard that the former Silph Co. was now occupied by a supposedly benevolent and ethical enterprise, the Rainbow Group, so he had infiltrated the building to investigate.
As it turned out, an undercover agent seemed to have run into another.
They say that in any Evil Organization, besides a couple of truly capable individuals and a few slackers just looking for a free meal, everyone else is an undercover agent. It seems that saying isn't just a joke.
You could probably throw a rock into an Evil Organization and hit an undercover agent.
Ash's brow furrowed. He had never heard of either Da Che or Steven Stone.
However, he was quite familiar with this Hoenn Region. It was that bizarre place all over again.
But since the man had revealed his identity, and this Steven Stone character he mentioned sounded like someone truly formidable, Ash didn't dare to be dismissive. He took a deep breath, nodded, and pretended that he had indeed heard of Steven Stone, to indirectly prove he wasn't some country bumpkin.
Then, the two of them turned their gazes in unison toward the other grunt holding a wooden sword.
Ash's curiosity was instantly piqued. He never thought that outside of Pallet Town, there could be another superhuman who could withstand a Thunderbolt with their bare body, without a Pokémon.
It was just that the way this person wielded the wooden sword, along with the astonishing sword aura faintly emanating from them, felt strangely familiar.
Seeing their gazes, this person copied the first man and removed their hat, revealing the completely drained face of a corporate drone.
Ash: "?"
He still didn't recognize this one either.
The person with the ordinary corporate drone face didn't speak. They glanced at Da Che beside them, then suddenly concentrated their energy. They raised the wooden sword horizontally, then struck like lightning. The sword aura instantly surged to its peak, and the sharp sword intent felt like it could sever anything!
Iaijutsu: Tree-Cutting Slash!
*Swish!*
The wooden sword actually let out the chilling sound of a metal tachi slicing through the air. An endless, sharp, cold light flared, rushing toward Ash.
*Whoosh!*
The next moment, the wooden sword was sheathed.
The corporate drone man dissipated his astonishing sword aura, becoming unremarkable once more, leaving a dumbfounded Ash and Da Che in his wake.
*Crack.*
After a moment, the rainbow letter 'R' on Ash's chest split in two and fell away, yet the clothes underneath were completely unscathed.
Then, the corporate drone man suddenly gave Ash a playful wink.
The gesture was cute.
But the face was horrific to look at.
If not for his caution toward the wooden sword in the man's hand, Ash would have already smashed his fist into that winking face.
However, this hint allowed Ash to guess the corporate drone man's identity, and a surge of emotion welled up inside him.
The old saying goes: "When compatriots meet compatriots, they shoot each other in the back." But for this encounter, it was more like the other version: "When compatriots meet compatriots, their eyes well up with tears."
Just when did this girl learn the art of disguise? It was simply masterful. She had perfectly portrayed the increasingly dull and weary face of a corporate drone—any more would have been overacting, any less would have been unconvincing.
It was truly astonishing.
Da Che, on the other hand, was deeply impressed, though he didn't grasp the silent communication between compatriots. He simply applauded the swordsmanship.
"Wow, what powerful Sword Intent! Goodness, that must have reached the level of a Heavenly Sword, right?"
Seeing this, Ash also nodded. He was just about to introduce himself to Da Che when the man cut him off.
Da Che made a silencing gesture, then signaled his Pokémon to act.
*Ting.*
The Telekinesis around Beldum spread out, quickly locking onto its targets.
Then, an invisible ripple burst from behind its body, shooting out like a cannonball, ricocheting several times to strike the room's four corners.
Instantly, four micro-cameras exploded.
"Good job, Beldum." Da Che rubbed the head of the Pokémon as it levitated back to him.
"This building is filled with cameras. Since our identities are exposed, we have to destroy these annoying eyes first."
"Beldum?"
Ash looked curiously at this strange Pokémon. It looked as if someone had taken Teacher Brock's Geodude, dyed it a different color, stretched it into a rectangular block, and then separated its head from its body with a single cut.
"Pokedex Beep. Beldum, the Iron Ball Pokémon. It only knows the move Takedown. It is extremely rare and considered a high-class Pokémon that only the wealthy are qualified to catch."
The Pokedex reported automatically.
Hearing this, Ash nodded. Since it was a Pokémon that only the wealthy were qualified to catch, what Da Che said was likely true. He then began to introduce himself:
"My name is Ash, and this is my partner, Pikachu. We're planning to drive the Rainbow Group out of Saffron City."
Da Che was startled, thinking to himself that this youth had such wild ambition.
Coincidentally, his Devon Corporation had been suppressed by the Rainbow Group for a long time. If they could really drive the Rainbow Group out, it would be an absolutely wonderful thing for them.
And judging by that Electric Mouse Pokémon's strength just now, it didn't seem half bad, did it?
Having just arrived in Saffron City, Da Che didn't know the true power of the local evil force. He assumed that these grunts were the mainstays of the Rainbow Group, which was why he had some confidence in Ash.
If he knew there were several enemies at the Half-step Elite Four level in this building, he probably would have already dragged Ash away...
With the cameras gone, Ash looked curiously at the corporate drone man.
"By the way, Blue... little boy, what are you doing here?"
Seeing her hand about to draw the wooden sword, Ash quickly corrected himself so as not to expose her real name.
"Oh, I heard from Big Sis Blue that there was a dungeon here and she told me to come clear it, so I came in."
As for Blue (manga character), she wasn't from this world anyway, so it didn't matter if her name was mentioned.
Just then, Blue suddenly leaned in, her eyes filled with a mixture of terror and reverence.
"Say, do you think this building is some kind of Haunted House?"
Ash: "?"
"I think I just saw... Little Flea? Do you think he couldn't rest in peace and his lingering spirit is haunting us?"
Blue asked, trembling.
Ash: "..."
(end of chapter)
